Should I stop taking Melatonin with Chemo?

Zenmushroom

Hey everyone. I am currently doing AC + THP chemotherapy. I am a 30F. Est + Her2 + Proj -. Stage 2.

I sent my doctor a list of supplements to see if any of them were okay during chemo. She sent that list to a pharmacist. The pharmacist said that there were no known contra-indications between chemotherapy and melatonin. I decided not to take any of the other supplements because I didn't want to do too much experimentation,but I figured there was no harm in taking the melatonin. Ever since chemotherapy started I've been having a lot of anxiety and trouble sleeping. Having terrible sleeps where I sleep like 4 hours a night. And small doses (6 mg) of melatonin didn't seem to help. So yesterday I took 15mg of melatonin along with some over the counter sleeping Zzzquil.

Finally got a full night's sleep for the first time in 3 week! And today I feel great! A little tired, but I'll take it over the crippling anxiety that I've been suffering the previous days.

But then I started reading a bit more about melatonin. Apparently it's an anti-oxidant, I didn't know that :-(

There are several studies that it has cancer killing properties and can increase the effectiveness of the chemo. And in a few of these studies, the patients taking melatonin in conjunction with chemo had less side effects and nearly double the survival rates along with rates of complete recovery.

However, apparently not enough studies have truly been done to indicate whether it is safe to use melatonin with chemo or not, and people still don't completely understand how chemo and melatonin interact on a molecular level.

I just emailed my Oncologist to get her opinion, so I'll see.

What do you guys think? Should I stop the melatonin and try to find a different sleeping aid since there is apparently not enough info out there to prove whether it is harmful or helpful to chemo?

moth

I would dial the dose way down now that you got one good nights sleep and try midday outdoor exercise plus a warm bath in the evening with some epsom salts and maybe some meditation podcasts. But if your MO and pharmacist said it was ok to use, then I think you should also follow their expert advice.

It seems to me that a) sleep now is super important and b) there aren't a whole of studies about many, many things. I think we don't understand how chemo and many prescription meds react on a molecular level either. A lot of it just convention and physician preferences.

Oh & some research indicates melatonin derivatives are actually helpful in chemo & boost cytotoxic activity https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/chemotherapy-... *** not suggesting melatonin SHOULD be consumed because this is an in vitro study of specific extracts, just saying that there's a whole lot we don't know and I'm not always convinced that some prescription option is better. It's just often what a doc is more familiar with...

Moderators

Hi Zenmushroom,

In addition to the other helpful responses you're sure to receive here, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Well-Known Supplements, including information on Melatonin.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods